Something wrong with my 488RC2?

Hey guys, I purchased the Bogen / Manfrotto 3021BPro Tripod /w 488RC2 Ballhead from BH a week ago. When I received the package, the ball head looked kind of used in a way. Not sure how to explain it but it wasn't packaged very well and the box seemed like it was tampered with before. On the bottom of the ballhead, there were scratch marks (I assumed it was normal).

I tested the 30D + 24-70L lens on it. I aimed at an object, tighten the lock on the ballhead, and once I let go of the camera, the center AF point drops about 1mm. Is this normal?

Here are two picture of what I'm talking about when I say "looks used". Even the golden part inside the hole looks beat up.

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Mine does that too. I was using the 30D/5D and 24-70 for landscapes this past week and noticed the slight drop. Mine's brand new too, so I wouldn't worry about it.

mine does the same thing, there is a bit of a droop when you lock it into place.

deadpass wrote in post #4423943
mine does the same thing, there is a bit of a droop when you lock it into place.

And you guys find this acceptable? I know my 322RC head is not very popular among the members of this forum, but it certainly doesn't "droop".

ChasP505 wrote in post #4424207
And you guys find this acceptable? I know my 322RC head is not very popular among the members of this forum, but it certainly doesn't "droop".

I find it completely acceptable. It's most likely user error in that we're supporting weight of the camera/lens in our hand while we tighten the ball w/ the other. Even 804 pan/tilt head does this. No big deal.

scot079 wrote in post #4424214
I find it completely acceptable. It's most likely user error in that we're supporting weight of the camera/lens in our hand while we tighten the ball w/ the other. Even 804 pan/tilt head does this. No big deal.

I would agree, and suggest that the momentary "droop" is really not attributable to the head itself but the slop above the head's connection.

With my 20D/grip/27-70 f/2.8L, there is always the ability to lift the lens while the rig is fastened to the tripod and manually point the camera slightly higher than it does at rest on the tripod. This is without loosening the head, of course.

Thanks for all the comments guys. I was playing with the ball head last night and I noticed on the quick release plate that comes with it, the mounting screw/nut that goes into your camera/grip wiggles a bit, can it be due to that? How many of you guys use different release plates other than the one that came with it.

The only plate that will fit the 488RC2 head is the RC2 (Rapid Connect 2) system plate. They're about $12 and it's always a good idea to have one per item that you might mount to your tripod.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Quick_Release_​Plate.html

I just got in my 488RC2 and a 681B Monopod . I mounted the BH on the MP and then took the RC2 plate off and attached it to my 300D with the 18-55mm kit lens . When i attched it to the BH i found no slippage what so ever but i have not tried it yet with the Sigma 135-400mm APO lens . BTW my BH had no scratch marks , looked perfect and built like a tank !